May 7, 2008
Every trail builder has this problem once in a while. You don't go to your set of dirt for a week and you find someone has found your tools, ran on your jumps or even changed them.
Here's a few things people should know when riding other peoples jumps.
Here's a few things people should know when riding other peoples jumps.
The people building the trail you are riding put a lot of time and effort into building it. These people ride too, and don't like spending their time patching a lip.
These are just a few things you can do to help keep your local builders happy.
1. Garbage. Is it too much to ask for you to pick up your trash? Most city designated parks have garbage cans and if there's none around, put it in your bag! Last year I cleaned out three bags of trash. That's horrible to have to do, save your local builders the time.
2. Tools. There is a reason the tools at local trails are hidden. So you, the person that did not build the trail will not alter the jumps they've worked hard to build. Don't go looking for them. The only exception to this would be city parks, for all riders are expected to maintain them. However, with private jumps, no builder likes coming up to his jumps to ride and finding out the jump has been cut down a foot because someone found their tools. Which brings me to my next point.
3. The Jumps. If they are too big, do not cut them down so you can ride them. The jumps were made for the riders skill level, not yours. Work your way up to them. Also, taking a big plank and using it as a case board not only ruins the back of the landing, but it also annoying for builders to move later.
4. Walking Around. Walk on the ground people, not the jumps. When you run up lips or landings you take chunks out of them with your feet. It's annoying to fix and frankly, unneeded. Please do not run or stand on the jumps.
5. Casing. If you case a jump and knock down a lot of dirt, take a few seconds and scoop the dirt up and put it back into place before you leave. Not hard to do.
6. Lips. They are meant to be jumped. Not fufanu'ed, abubica'ed or foot planted. It's annoying to fix. Do not do it.
7. Skidding. If you do it enough in a trail it will eventually cause ruts. That means the trail builders will later have to rake and even out what you've made. If you skid, kick the dirt back into place with your foot and go ride some more.
8. The Features. Some trails have more than just dirt jumps in them. Mine for example has a dirt with a wall for fufs. Don't tear it down for case boards.
That is all, a few simple rules to follow.
Thanks for reading.
-Chris Spurr.
These are just a few things you can do to help keep your local builders happy.
1. Garbage. Is it too much to ask for you to pick up your trash? Most city designated parks have garbage cans and if there's none around, put it in your bag! Last year I cleaned out three bags of trash. That's horrible to have to do, save your local builders the time.
2. Tools. There is a reason the tools at local trails are hidden. So you, the person that did not build the trail will not alter the jumps they've worked hard to build. Don't go looking for them. The only exception to this would be city parks, for all riders are expected to maintain them. However, with private jumps, no builder likes coming up to his jumps to ride and finding out the jump has been cut down a foot because someone found their tools. Which brings me to my next point.
3. The Jumps. If they are too big, do not cut them down so you can ride them. The jumps were made for the riders skill level, not yours. Work your way up to them. Also, taking a big plank and using it as a case board not only ruins the back of the landing, but it also annoying for builders to move later.
4. Walking Around. Walk on the ground people, not the jumps. When you run up lips or landings you take chunks out of them with your feet. It's annoying to fix and frankly, unneeded. Please do not run or stand on the jumps.
5. Casing. If you case a jump and knock down a lot of dirt, take a few seconds and scoop the dirt up and put it back into place before you leave. Not hard to do.
6. Lips. They are meant to be jumped. Not fufanu'ed, abubica'ed or foot planted. It's annoying to fix. Do not do it.
7. Skidding. If you do it enough in a trail it will eventually cause ruts. That means the trail builders will later have to rake and even out what you've made. If you skid, kick the dirt back into place with your foot and go ride some more.
8. The Features. Some trails have more than just dirt jumps in them. Mine for example has a dirt with a wall for fufs. Don't tear it down for case boards.
That is all, a few simple rules to follow.
Thanks for reading.
-Chris Spurr.
Comments
- + 29 props
nickbiking
(April 25, 2008 at 16:28)
(Below Threshold) show comment
good job there chrisy. cover basicly everything
This is a really god idea and i thank you for posting it but the thing is some people do still do it when they come to others jumps and frankly its really anoying and some people just do it so piss of the actual locals of te trail. but noone the less thanks for this 
yeah but most the people who rek my trails arnt guna be on pinkbike cause the pikey twats or forestry comition poeple :/
doesnt that piss u off? i f*ckin hate it when that happens!
Fantastic Post! i couldnt agree more! Also, if you turn up to some trails and all the locals are digging join in, dont stand there wait till theve done and then ride the jumps they have built for you!
this should be on the main page thingy 
I sent it in, we'll see if they allow it.
just spell Feature right before it hits main page
awwwh, crap. I was in a rush when I wrote the last one. I can't edit it now that its been sent.
good job, i think having such problems, is close to normal for trailbuilders. DIG OR DIE!
made it to the front page. nice read chris.
If only people actually listened to this. Nice write up, we need to get it out to more jump wrecking punks!
yeah chris good job buddy front page
yea good call buddy, i had some stupid little kids come in and tear a bunch of my jumps down to make sh***y table booters cuz they couldnt hit the big ones. i had to tear all there stuff down took me a week!
yeah, totally right, I don't like when I came up home and see the landings with the holes of people that land too much on the top of them and don't fix, I think I will put some fences on the area and a dog, if people don't respect it has to be like that !
YES. not to be a prick but most kids out there need to under stand to ride withen there limit, meaning if the jumps to big dont modify it so its in there skill level. Also with table tops, there can be issues. We have a local park that is maintained to agree by the goverment ( basic construction of the park) and kids need to learn how to properly maintain jumps. I seen some wacky things that they have created. I ask them nicely, please leave the jumps alone til a more experience rider/ builer ( what ever u want to call it) comes along. When there not properly maintained it makes the jumps less and less ridible. Eventually it can lead the jumps to be 1/2 of the size they were. Yearly we have a build day where the city comes in with BOB cats etc... and orders up a couple loads of dirt and make them to there original size again. This park has been open to the public for 3-4 years and eventually i think the city is going to refuse to rebuild them. I basicly rarely go there and watch them go to hell. Same with alot of other riders basicly you could say " given up" what could we do to stop baicly kids from risking to lose the dirt jump park due to poor maintaince?
i agree i hate when people try to build jumps on my jumps or try to make my jumps smaller!
Every trail vandal SHOUL read this post!!!
Chris Spurr, you are representing all trail builder. GREAT POST man!!!
Chris Spurr, you are representing all trail builder. GREAT POST man!!!
good advice i think i will make all the little trail wreckers from around here read this!
wow, haha i wish ppl around here thought the same as you, i wish i could print that out and post it all around my jumps, little kids always walk up em and tare em down so they can hit em!
Hopefully this damn kids stop running up and down the bigs, because when me and stephen p were there, the second big had this huge hole dead center in the lip.
I would add one point:
if you fing a "secret spot" don't take pictures on it and then post it on the internet with a plan how to find it...
(Which happened to our spot)
if you fing a "secret spot" don't take pictures on it and then post it on the internet with a plan how to find it...
(Which happened to our spot)
Excellent post Chris. I run some freeride trails in partnership with the Forestry Commission. We've had various instances of tools being stolen, trails damaged/altered, damage from moto-crossers and of course litter. It's a problem that will always happen from time to time, but with some decent sign posting and spending time talking to and advising everyone, it is manageable.
One bit of advise I'd add to your post is, when you come across people abusing the trails, don't go in "all guns blazing" but instead be polite and explain why litter, alterations, mtx etc jeopardizes the trails and annoys local riders. Most of the time this will put an end to their exploits, as many (especially some younger riders) simply don't realize they are causing a problem. Take them under your wing and one day they'll probably do the same when they see people causing a problem.
Props to you and every rider out there who look after the trails...keep up the good work.
One bit of advise I'd add to your post is, when you come across people abusing the trails, don't go in "all guns blazing" but instead be polite and explain why litter, alterations, mtx etc jeopardizes the trails and annoys local riders. Most of the time this will put an end to their exploits, as many (especially some younger riders) simply don't realize they are causing a problem. Take them under your wing and one day they'll probably do the same when they see people causing a problem.
Props to you and every rider out there who look after the trails...keep up the good work.
the worst are children who can't riding and don't care about hard work! they are running and crashing jumps without no respect :/
I like this article
I like this article
AMEN BROTHER! This post couldn't come at a better time, too bad the people that need to read it probably won't. On a side note, if I see one more energy drink can at a set of jumps or a trail head on the ground and I see the person do it I'll be forced to ram it where the sun doesn't shine! PS. I am a little hostile to day, sorry for that.
good work! its something that we all need so
thanks for the post. it seems to be a universal problem. i hope the people with less skill building/riding do not take offense to this article, but to heed its advise.
THANKYOU for doing this, there is alot of kids in the lower mainland that need to understand this. its something that everybody should read.
This is probably the greatest thing said on Pinkbike. Thanks
you forgot one thing, NO riding unless you dig!
augh it's so frustrating when people tear down your jumps to make them their size. it's just like f*ck off and build your own stuff if the stuff i built is too big.
i also have a problem with them stealing shovels.
how are u sapoused to fix a case rut if ur not allowed to go and look for the tools
with ur hands, or bring ur own tools
take the dirt you knocked off, pick it up with your hand and put it back and pack it down with your foot......
this is cool
but its mostly the people who dont come on here that love to do this shit...
for the UK lot...its the chavs, god damn i hate them so much
but its mostly the people who dont come on here that love to do this shit...
for the UK lot...its the chavs, god damn i hate them so much
for sure...good advices!!!i should translate it for frenchies!!! thanks!!
great advice for the smaller or less experienced riders. thanks a lot for that seg.
Great article well said.
good post but one thing u said was not to look for the tools laying around. how are u supposed to fix something if you wreck it? i think its ok to find and use the tools just don;t wreck the tools and put them back when your done.
sorry just seen the same post above. but as a reply to dirtjumpur. not everyone carries tools around when they go for a ride just in case they come across some dj's.
Fair question bighiller55. Most damage caused by casing or bailing can be fixed easily with a bit of careful stamping and the odd handful of dirt. If you're unable to fix it, try and let one of the locals know so they can fix it asap. *Tip for anyone running trails...put a phone number or e-mail address on the "take your litter home" sign so damage can be reported
AGREED. Thanks for posting this. Very good rules to follow by. Just remember, we're all here to enjoy them, if I build them, I'm building and maintaining not just for myself but for friends and the community. If you respect them, I respect you. if you don't...well then, you'll learn the hard way and hopefully remember for next time.
Cheers,
Cheers,
front page buddayy, vary nice!!
Good post! But the problem is, the people that usually ruin the jumps are kids that dont even really know what the jumps are used for... like 8 year old kids runnig on them and shit... that will never be stopped its a fact of biking.
i'm gonna print this out and staple it on all the freakin wooden posts and whatever else where i ride/build.
great post!
great post!
good job man,here`s another tip ,don`t tell the world where they are on ecmtb! .other than that,great post!hope all the stupid kids read it.
i agree.... i found tho the biggest cause of jumping problem are people like that who change it.... I am guilty i have done it once.... thats it and than changed it back. i hope that kids who cant ride stay on easier trails and learn there not on big boy jumps... i find they make it into a roller more than anything.
Thank you everyone for the positive comments! Can't beleive this made front page. Sweet!
I really injoyed this article. I build trails locally here, and ive had my experiances..one i really hate is when someone rides over my jumps and rounds em all over the landing and everything. Ive started building a new trail verrryy remote from were i used to build and its very hard to get into to. Also motos and other people cant get in it. So hopefully ill have a new trail going. Thanks for this article loved it.
So hopefully ill have a new trail going. Thanks for this article loved it. every beginner rider needs to read this !!!! yea its great that people are starting to get in the sport but dont ruin other peoples work so that you can ride them,, build your own jumps close by that you can ride !!
here here
this is a great article
i hope these people who change the jumps and tracks read this
it really pisses me off when we get to our trail that has taken us months to build and people have destroyed our jumps. I hope this will explain t them why we get annoyed
this is a great article
i hope these people who change the jumps and tracks read this
it really pisses me off when we get to our trail that has taken us months to build and people have destroyed our jumps. I hope this will explain t them why we get annoyed
yeah, and if the jumps are on some guy's private property, don't bring fifty of your friends there, cuz nobody wants a bunch of people they have never seen before in their yard
Great article, it really strikes a chord with alot of riders obviously. when you see people at your jumps, there a a few different reactions you should take to different types of riders. e.g. small kids just be nice and tell them not to mess anything up. but when there are people just running around or being careless riding and effing everything up to be "cool" to their friends, you have to bring a few people and either show them up, or f*ck em' up....
This is probably the most helpful and well accepted thing I have ever read on PinkBike. Notice no negative comments...cause all the idiots who destroy the trails have read this, know it's them that's being talked about and hopefully seen the light! Great stuff!!!
I'm surprised at how many ppl just disregard the hard work that has been put into building. I'm not the greatest rider, but if I case or something on someone else's jump, I always fix it.
i hate Jump vanals you just want to beat them with your stashed tools
thank you thank you thank you. i agrrreeeee 100% with this guy
great stuff chris its good you did this
yep i agrue i made my own jumps to learn so i did not stuff up jumps that every one uses
every thing you said there has happened to me.
good blog
good blog
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